Fantasy baseball pitching matchups: is there a more important yet more unpredictable aspect of winning in your daily fantasy lineups? 

That's exactly why Fantasy Alarm is proud to introduce Fantasy Baseball Daily Pitching Matchup Rating Grid: a game-changing tool to arm you with the edge you need to destroy the competition. 

 

 

 

What is the MLB Pitching Matchup Grid? It is a simple yet powerful go-to tool for evaluating starting pitchers each day of the season. 

We will not just give the starters for the day; instead, we will take a deep dive into various important metrics such as opposing team batting statistics, pitcher ERA, strikeout rates, park factors, and weather conditions in order to deliver a thorough rating for every matchup. 

In the ever-changing world of fantasy baseball starting pitchers, there is daily movement with rising aces ascending the 2025 list and aging stars taking on new challenges. 

In fact, it becomes a critical component of DFS lineup selection, spotting sleepers, or steering clear of potential disasters. 

The colors in the rating scale will signify the matchups in the following way: 

  • GREEN - Elite Arms that will face more conducive conditions and thus possess high upside.
  • YELLOW - Slightly riskier plays, but they could have the upside of getting the win.
  • ORANGE - Plays that should be approached with caution.
  • RED - Those facing difficult matchups or in risky environments.

 

Updated: 7/1/2025

PitcherTeamMatchupKey Stats
Paul SkenesPittsburgh PiratesSt. Louis CardinalsAuto-start
Yoshinobu YamamotoLos Angeles DodgersTexas RangersAuto-start
Jacob deGromTexas RangersBaltimore OriolesIf I say auto-start three times in a row, what happens?
Max FriedNew York YankeesToronto Blue JaysJays do a nice job against most lefties but...you guessed it...auto-start
Cristopher SanchezPhiladelphia PhilliesSan Diego PadresMaybe he's not the ace of the Phillies staff, but he's treated like an ace by us in fantasy. Auto-start
Joe RyanMinnesota TwinsMiami MarlinsClose to ace status and a matchup against the Marlins makes him, what...? That's right, an auto-start.
Freddy PeraltaMilwaukee BrewersNew York MetsLast two outings have been good. Not great, but good. Still has ace status though, so we roll with him tonight.
Nick PivettaSan Diego PadresPhiladelphia PhilliesCan be a tough match-up but he bounced back from rough outing against the Royals and can easily be trusted here.
Jack FlahertyDetroit TigersWashington NationalsThe curveball returned finally and it sounds like he's no longer tipping his pitches.
Clay HolmesNew York MetsMilwaukee BrewersHe's not giving up a lot of runs, but 12 walks in three starts is not going to keep him in our good graces for long.
Shane BazTampa Bay RaysAthleticsDominant in two of his last three starts gives us some laititude here and the freedom to start him in this matchup.
Matthew BoydChicago CubsCleveland GuardiansLots of lefty-on-lefty crime here. Advantage: pitcher
Edward CabreraMiami MarlinsMinnesota TwinsGreat strikeout upside, doesn't give up a lot of runs, arsenal improving. Just wish he could be more efficient and go further into the game
Richard FittsBoston Red SoxCincinnati RedsHe's got good stuff, though not overpowering. Still, the Reds can be soft, especially on the road.
Gavin WilliamsCleveland GuardiansChicago CubsVelocoty returned and his cutter looked great last time out. This is a tougher test though.
Kevin GausmanToronto Blue JaysNew York YankeesDepends on which Gausman shows up. If his command isn't on-point, this is a dangerous matchup.
Andre PallanteSt. Louis CardinalsPittsburgh PiratesNot a particualrly high ceiling even against the Pirates
Colton GordonHouston AstrosColorado RockiesHandles righties well with his sweeper and four-seamer, but it is Coors Field...
Hayden BirdsongSan Francisco GiantsArizona DiamondbacksStil ltrying to wash the stink off from his last start. DBacks have been up and down so there's risk here.
Shane SmithChicago White SoxLos Angeles DodgersNot sure I like him here against the Dodgers lefty bats in particular.
Tyler AndersonLos Angeles AngelsAtlanta BravesBraves are mid against lefties, but you know how it goes with a group this talented. Not like Anderson throws anything special.
Brady SingerCincinnati RedsBoston Red SoxThe slider looks better and the Sox are soft without Devers, but he still lives dangerously and it's still Fenway
Jeffrey SpringsAthleticsTampa Bay RaysWish I could trust him more in the revenge-game, but his changeup is so inconsistent right now
Didier FuentesAtlanta BravesLos Angeles AngelsStill really like the stiff and the Halos aren't exactly scary. Another outing like last time, though...that's scary.
Zac GallenArizona DiamondbacksSan Francisco GiantsIt hurts my soul that I can no longer trust him.
Emerson HancockSeattle MarinersKansas City RoyalsEven against a soft ROyald lineup, I just don't like the stuff. Could you get a QS here? Sure, but is that enough?
Trevor WilliamsWashington NationalsDetroit TigersRemember when he used to be good? Yeah, me neither.
Michael LorenzenKansas City RoyalsSeattle MarinersModest strikeout upside but not enough to even try this one out.
Brandon YoungBaltimore OriolesTexas RangersAs bad as Texas is looking at the plate, Young has looked worse on the mound.
Chase DollanderColorado RockiesHouston AstrosCoors Field and he's still developing. Stay away.